Building Change

Tthe Maboneng Precinct has revived a formerly blighted part of the Johannesburg inner city, bringing to it artists' studios, a colourful Sunday market, restaurants, retail space and urban apartments. But it's through the precinct's latest offering, The Main Change, that Joburg-based property developer Jonathan Liebmann is really pushing to bring business back into the city.

Developed from a 1970s industrial warehouse. The Main Change is Maboneng's first dedicated office building. Far from being a simple workspace, however, it's a mindful concept that places creativity, health and wellbeing at the top of its priority list. That's why, in four floors of office space, the building boasts ground-floor stores occupied by fashion labels, furniture designers and eateries, as well as a spa, healing and yoga centre called Cocoon, and a rooftop health-food restaurant. The Living Room. 'We decided to include these last two, as they inspire conscious living as well as the tools to perform at optimum levels,' says Maboneng brand manager Hayleigh Evans.
The office spaces are attracting a wide variety of small businesses and freelancers, and the interaction between the different elements of the building is inspiring. This summer will see yoga classes on The Living Room's open rooftop and residents are regularly treated to special offers.
It's not only tenants who are making the most of this inner-city oasis - many non-residents visit The Main Change to shop, dine and simply take some time out. 'We're attracting a whole new and exciting clientele now that we're in the CBD,' says Cocoon owner Marisa Lloyd, who, as the founder of Muldersdrift's well-established Woodlands Centre for Conscious Living & Healing Spa, has been in the industry for years. Marisa recognises that busy residents might find it difficult to switch off, and the spa is therefore designed to offer a place to unwind. Its wood-panelled rooms and soft lighting make it a perfectly Zen space amid the busyness of the CBD.
'Once you start to connect the dots, the building becomes an extremely conscious space,' says Marisa, who's convinced the concept is 'genius'. It seems she's not the only one to have recognised the building's virtues. Earlier this year The Main Change won the 2011 JDA Halala award in the category 'Working and Buying Joburg'. 'This concept has effectively changed the way in which Joburgers think about their city and how they can live, work and play in it,’ adds Hayleigh. С The Main Change, 20 Kruger St, Johannesburg; Cocoon, qocooninthecitv.com